DOHA
Fear and anxiety gripped residents of Qatar, which has a sizeable Indian population, including a large number of Goans, on Saturday morning when Iranian missile attacks struck the country along with other parts of the Middle East. However, most Goans in Qatar are reported to be safe.
Explosions were reported near Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest American military installation.
Residents, including Goans, were mentally prepared following advisories issued by various embassies in Qatar. They had been warned about possible Iranian attacks on US bases and were urged to take necessary precautions.
Many Goans received early morning alerts sent by the US and Portuguese embassies to their nationals and shared the warnings with friends and family. The Indian Embassy also took to social media to caution its citizens.
The Indian Embassy advisory read: “In view of the current regional situation, all Indian nationals in Qatar are advised to exercise due caution and follow news updates and advisories issued by the Embassy and local authorities. “Our Embassy is continuing to function as usual,” it said, adding that a 24x7 helpline and email are available to address queries.
When the missile attack occurred, residents received security alert messages on their phones. The national emergency alert system of Qatar’s Defence Ministry was activated during the strikes, and messages were sent three to four times. The first two alerts were in Arabic and the third in English, beginning around noon when the initial strike took place.
The message read: “In the interest of public safety, we urge you to stay away from the vicinity of military sites and remain indoors, whether at home or elsewhere. Do not go out or move unless absolutely necessary to avoid any risks.”
